HBO, Lilley back for ‘Boys’

Duo reunite for 'Angry' comedy

HBO is back in business with Australian comedian Chris Lilley, picking up his new comedy “Angry Boys.”

The pay cabler last year also ran Lilley’s previous sitcom, “Summer Heights High.”

But unlike that show, which HBO picked up as a straight acquisition, the channel is co-producing “Angry Boys” along with the Australian Broadcasting Co.

Pre-production on “Angry Boys,” which will shoot 12 half-hour episodes, begins in Australia this month.

Show will be lensed in a mock-documentary style and revolve around what its like to be a male in the 21st century. As in “Summer Heights High,” Lilley will play multiple characters.

Attached along with Lilley to the project is Laura Waters. Princess Pictures, which previously teamed with Lilley on “Summer Heights High,” is also onboard.

“There will be new characters and lots of surprises for the audience, and I’m really excited about having a longer-running series to work with,” Lilley said.

Also picking up the new series is the BBC, which has already sealed rights to air “Angry Boys” in the U.K.

HBO launched “Summer Heights High” last November to strong critical reviews. That show, about life at a public school, starred Lilley as three different characters: a drama teacher, a female exchange student and a dancing delinquent.

“Summer Heights High” was a smash on Australia’s ABC network and is the top-selling comedy DVD in that country’s history.

Lilley was also behind the comedy “We Can Be Heroes,” which aired in the U.S. on the Sundance Channel.